John Pittmann

POLAND - Prayers will begin Friday at 10:15 a.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Poland Chapel, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, celebrated at 11 a.m. at St. Nicholas Christ Our Savior Church in Struthers, for John Pittmann, 87, who died Monday afternoon at St. Elizabeth Boardman Health Center.

John was born March 16, 1928, in Yugoslavia, the son of Maria Pittmann and her husband, Paul. He came to this country in 1951.

Mr. Pittmann worked as a tool forger and blacksmith for Youngstown Forge for 41 years, retiring as a foreman in 1994.

He was a member of St. Nicholas Church and the Youngstown German-Hungarian Maennerchor, where he was named man of the year in 1964. He was also a member of the Apollo Maennerchor club of Sharon, Pa., where he was an officer, a member of its choir, and enjoyed entertaining in many competitions.

He is survived by his wife, the former Katharina "Kathi" Negovan, whom he married June 16, 1951; three sons, Frank (Donna) Pittmann of Perrysburg, Paul M. (Cynthia) Pittmann of Columbus, and Mathias J. (Linda) Pittmann of Struthers; five grandchildren, Mathias (JoAnna), John (Jennie), Lindsay and Carie Pittmann and Erica (Berc) Backhurst; three great-grandchildren, Emma Hunt, Travis and Easton Pittmann; a sister, Thersia (Nick) Negovan of Struthers; and nieces Mary (Bill) Bartell of Poland, Kathi Ferrett of New Middletown and Annie (Paul) Gruber of Germany.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Paul Morweck.

Friends may call on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Poland Chapel.

Please visit www.higgins-reardon.com to view this tribute and to send condolences.